A total of 92 percent of Egyptian expatriates in the Kingdom voted for former army chief Abdel Fattah El-Sissi in the overseas polling of the country’s presidential elections.

Hamdeen Sabahi, El-Sissi’s only rival, secured 7 percent of the vote in the May 15 to 19 elections. Sabahi’s extensive campaigning had targeted Egyptian expatriates in Gulf countries but failed to impress voters.

The counting of the votes ended late on Monday, with Egyptian officials releasing the results on Tuesday. The Kingdom has the largest Egyptian expatriate community in the Middle East.

According to Egyptian officials, 70,267 Egyptians voted for El-Sissi and 5,213 for Sabahi. Mustafa Abdul Jawad from the Egyptian Embassy told Arab News that 76,609 votes were cast, with 1,129 declared invalid.

In Jeddah, there were 37,090 votes cast and 622 votes declared invalid. El-Sissi secured 34,304 or 94 percent, while Sabahi received 2,164 or 6 percent.

In Riyadh, 39,519 votes were cast and 507 declared invalid. El-Sissi secured 35,963 or 92.18 percent, and Sabahi 3,049 votes or 7.8 percent.

Unlike the 2012 election, voting via mail or email was not allowed. Expatriate voters had to be physically present at their embassy or consulate to make their mark.

Egyptians abroad were allowed to cast their votes without prior registration, whether residing temporarily or permanently overseas. Voting in Egypt will take place on May 26 and 27.